Quick note from Mary Agnes:  Hi everyone. I am humbled and thrilled that Heidi Richards has asked me to be the social media editor for We Online. It is my intention to write specific, easy-to-implement articles twice a month. The important word there is specific.  This will be a column you can follow and USE to be massively successful.  I am always available by email for quick questions, and I wish you all great luck and joy. ~  Mary Agnes Antonopoulos ma (at) RockawayWriter.com


BlogTalkRadio – Free, Easy-to-Implement, and Ever Green Recordings and Offers

Today, I want to talk about a fantastic “social” networking platform that you may have participated in – but probably are not using to its full advantage. BlogTalkRadio http://bit.ly/diNPsb is an effective and very easy to use platform. It allows you to easily share your message and build branded recognition as an expert in your field. And like many social networks, it is completely cost free. 

Let’s talk about 3 essentials to get started on BlogTalkRadio http://bit.ly/diNPsb – there are seven, but I don’t want to overwhelm the beginners. In a few weeks, We’ll send out an article on guests, joint ventures, sponsors and marketing. *BTR will be featured in the Success in Social Media course that We Online for Women will offer on in May.

Your Profile. Like ALL social networks, always set up a complete and compelling profile. This is how your audience will find you and identify you as an expert in your field. It’s also great for SEO. Once you’re on the site and click Register in the top right hand of the page, you’ll see that you can choose a “Display Name” – this is vital. Be sure to choose a name that identifies with your CLIENT base. Next, click “I want to host my own show,” and YES for the BlogTalkRadio http://bit.ly/diNPsb newsletter. Once you’ve confirmed your registration, be sure to add your other social networking sites and a description for your show – as well as your keywords and categories.

Your Radio Show: After setting up your profile, you’ll be prompted to enter your first show – so be prepared with your date, time and vital information. Also be sure to click on and change the duration button, as automatically defaults to 15 minutes. I recommend that you keep your shows to no longer than 45 minutes – the shorter the show, the more people attend and download – but do set the time at least 30 minutes longer than you plan, just to be safe. You can upload start music for your show, but wait until you have the hang of things. It’s easy to start talking to early and forget to let the music queue first. Remember, choose a date and time that you can do WEEKLY in order to build a following. NOTHING works as well as consistency.

How To Run Your Live Show and Your Chat Room: Take the time to watch the tutorials that BTR has set up; they’re very good, but here’s a simple breakdown on how to run your show just to get you started. When you’re ready to host your live show, log into BTR and click the MyBlogTalkRadio button in the top right hand corner. Next, click My Account. (This is also how you add or edit shows.) On the left, click My Switchboard. Once inside, it’s easy to conduct your show. Remember to call in at least five minutes early and to turn off your own call waiting. Your call-in number and HOST CODE are on the left of your switchboard. You can unmute (and mute) callers by clicking the microphone symbol next to their phone number. Keep in mind that if you intend to have a guest speaker, you will want to know their phone number, so you can unmute them. If you will be the only speaker, you can simply call in by phone, enter your host code, and voila! No need to be at a computer.

You can also click Start Chat Button to have another facet to your call. This is where callers can type in questions and you can either type your response, or announce their question (and your answer) on the broadcast.

Mary Agnes Antonopoulos
http://www.RockawayWriter.com
Social Media Editor for WE Magazine for Women (oh yeah!)
Social Networking Strategist and Kick-A** Freelance Writer
845-238-3355

Mary Agnes is the Social Media Strategist for NY Times Best Selling Author, Christine Comaford and has created successful social media campaigns for Jack Canfield (Chicken Soup for the Soul), Libby Gill, OnePinky.com, and a long list of others.  To inquire about the We Online Success in Social Media Class, reach out to Heidi Richards or Mary Agnes. Details to be announced soon. 
Quick note from Mary Agnes:  Hi everyone. I am humbled and thrilled that Heidi Richards has asked me to be the social media editor for We Online. It is my intention to write specific, easy-to-implement articles twice a month. The important word there is specific.  This will be a column you can follow and USE to be massively successful.  I am always available by email for quick questions, and I wish you all great luck and joy. – Mary Agnes Antonopoulos ma@RockawayWriter.com
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There IS a premium level available for BlogTalkRadio http://bit.ly/diNPsb , which has huge advantages. Those will be covered in a future pi